Trip out West

[xMNxFrost]

Hello, I'm new to this forum and had a question about sluicing and panning. This summer my family is going on a trip out west to mainly Montana, South Dakota, and Idaho. I have researched these areas and have found areas that would be good for sluicing such as French Creek, Alder Gulch, Last Chance Gulch, Silver Creek, the Deadwood District and more. The problem I'm having is being able to tell if their are many gold claims in those areas and where there aren't? Secondly, can you sluice on federal and state land? I know you can't in National Parks, but what areas can you sluice in? Lastly, what sluice would you suggest and of what length? I am from Minnesota and I am very grateful for your helpful information.
Thanks, and have a nice day!

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[russau]

the quickest way to answer this question is for you to contact the GPAA state director for each state and ask them! watchout for federal mining claims and private property!im seeing some places dont even want you to pan or anything on their littlepeice of land!

[B H Prospector]

Hi XMN,
You can pretty much forget French creek as it is pretty much claimed, on private land or in Custer State Park. If you are a GPAA member they have claims on boulder creek, castle creek and rapid creek. Alot of the other areas have claims on them and may or may not be well marked. Deadwood also has alot of private property and claims.
The GPAA claims are as follows: Rainbow and Migg 1,2,3 on rapid creek headed towards Rochford SD on Rochford RD. From Rochford RD head to Mystic SD and there the GPAA has the Mary Ann on Castle Creek.This claim boarders one of my claims. Then there is the Husker in boulder canyon near Sturgis. This claim is on boulder creek and is usually dry by the end of may early june unless we had good winter snow and a wet spring. Then it can flow into july. It does produce some pretty good gold though. I know a greenhorn from Mn I sent there last spring and he did pretty good.
The Miggs are ok and I wouldn't suggest the rainbow. The mary ann was producing some pretty good gold last summer and fall. There is primitive camping at all the claims but the rainbow. Hope this helps. Let me know if you have any questions. Maybe I'll see you out there.

Good Luck
B H Prospector

[kuger]

Add Alder Gulch to that "Ruled out",list............all claimed up.........all the way down Alder Creek,at least to Alder

[B H Prospector]

Forgot to answer your sluice question. I use a Keene 52A most of the time. I have one made by a local prospector that is 24" x 10" that works pretty good even in medium flow water. I also have a 24" x 8" plastic sluice I use for low flow and for my grand kids to use. It works well in faster flow also. It really depends on what you like and what the water conditions are flow wise. Just do some research and see what you like and can afford. There is alot out there.

Good luck

B H Prospector